After years of underachievement, the West Ham Academy is finally beginning to live up to its reputation again. This is both due to the work of Terry Westley and thanks to investment from the owners in such players as Martin Samuelsen, Antonio Martinez, Ashley Fletcher and Domingos Quina.
Soon, however, they will be expected to transform their talent onto the big stage and start putting in performances for the first team and the expected fixture congestion this season could see several youngsters play for Slaven Bilić sooner rather than later. But who could they be?
Two names which immediately spring to mind when you mention the Academy are Reece Oxford and Reece Burke. Both Reece’s already have Premier League experience, with Oxford becoming West Ham’s youngest ever player last season while Burke, after a short spell in the first team under Allardyce, was sent on loan to Bradford City where he won almost every end-of-season award available.
Both will be keen for first team football and Bilić will be keen to give it to them, especially Burke whose contract expires at the end of the season – it is believed that Bilić himself vetoed the youngster going out on loan again this season. The departure of James Tomkins will only improve their chances of getting into the first team, and this was likely one of the reasons for the 27-year-olds departure – out with the old, in with the new, as the saying goes.
I would be very surprised if we don’t see them both in the starting XI this season. If, however, the management team decide to loan one of them out, I would expect it to be Oxford. He is the younger of the two and could do with experience in the Championship, while Burke clearly requires first team football if his contract is to be renewed which the club are eager to do.
Another player who impressed while out on loan last season is Martin Samuelsen. The Norwegian winger was signed from Manchester City last summer and put in some dazzling performances for Peterborough United, including against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup. However, the additions of Töre and Feghouli into the side could alter his progress into the first team, but I expect him to be a great squad player for the upcoming season, or else be loaned out to a top half Championship side.
Almost all of the talk regarding transfers so far this summer has been about a striker; whether it be Batshuayi, Lacazette, Bacca or any other of the dozens of players we’ve been linked with. Rightly so too: one thing West Ham have lacked for years is a top class, injury free striker who is capable of scoring 20+ goals each season. While new additions are certainly needed, one player who should be considered is Antonio Martinez.
The Spaniard – who was recently signed from Valencia – has a remarkable record at youth level, scoring over 100 goals in the last three seasons and his eagerness to impress and break into the first team is already clear. If he can carry on this path, I would not be surprised to see Bilić give him a chance this season and he could become a regular bench player at the very least. While injuries have plagued our attacking options in recent years, one this season could pave the way for Martinez being given a shot at the first team and I think this could be beneficial all round.
Another attacking option who could be given a shot is West Ham’s most recent signing, Ashley Fletcher. A proven goal scorer at youth level and in the lower divisions, we could definitely see him play a part in the Europa League and Capital One Cup.
There are many other players who also have a chance of breaking through this season. All you have to do is look at the amount of Academy players Bilić took with him on the tour of America to be given an idea of the young players available. Marcus Browne looks like another incredibly bright attacking talent, but a player worth a special mention is new signing Domingos Quina.
Still only 16, the attacking midfielder could become West Ham’s second youngest player of all time if he gets game time this year, and judging by the comments of those who have seen him play, that could be likely
He recently played a pivotal role in the Portugal u17 side which won the European Championships and has scored eight goals in 14 appearances at that level. While there are a few first team players who may have to make way for him to be given a chance, the Europa League or Capital One Cup could be his stage to shine on.
Twitter: Said it before and I’ll say it again @domingosquina is a huge huge signing https://t.co/DisnN5DBLb (@DaveSulley)
Everybody is in agreement that the feel around the club at the moment is incredible, and a large part of that is because of the renewed success of the Academy. It would be great to see this feel-good factor transformed further into success on the pitch, and see West Ham in a position where they can rely on their Academy to produce top class players rather than having to spend tens of millions in the transfer market.
